Thursday, December 20, 2012

Film Petit #5: Moonrise Kingdom


Suzy Bishop. Oh to be Suzy Bishop for a day. She's misunderstood. She's fearless. She's a collector. She goes berzerk. She has one of the best blue steels ever.


Sam: What happened to your hand?
Suzy: I got hit in the mirror.
Sam: Really? How did that happen?
Suzy: I lost my temper at myself.




Suzy is played by Kara Hayward in Wes Anderson's most recent offering, Moonrise Kingdom. You forget when you are watching this film that these are just two kids acting in a movie. Like any Anderson film, you enter their world completely and remember the pain and rebellion and excitement of childhood love.




Suzy and Sam Shakusky both live on the island of New Penzance and meet very briefly when Sam- a khaki scout- sees Suzy in a church pageant. They begin writing to each other and hatch a plan to both run away from their dysfunctional home situations to be together.

Sam: I love you, but you don't know what you're talking about.
Suzy: I love you too.



They have a long day of freedom on the island together. Relying on Sam's scouting skills and Suzy's adventurous imagination, they carve out their own little kingdom in a secluded cove on the island. But the next morning they are found by the well-intentioned but mostly incompetent adults in their lives. Being together after that becomes a bit trickier. I can't really give away any more of the plot here... but if you haven't seen it, you need to. Very soon.


Suzy: Was he a good dog?
Sam: Who's to say? But he didn't deserve to die.





This little dress was made out of thrifted women's blouse and mostly made up by me. I started with a basic a-line pattern shape and then added long sleeves and a self-drafted collar. That part was actually easier than I thought it would be, but I should have tacked down the collar in the back. I used the front of the shirt for the back piece so that I could use the blouse buttons for closure. Really simple, I just had to add one more button at the top, a unique vintage beauty that a blogging friend gave me. (Thanks Destri!)


 The dress has a white lining, and verges on too short, but I figure Elsie is still at the age where that is totally adorable (19 months.) And it's true to Suzy the smoldering rebel, of course. (Although I will say that when she is Suzy's age, Elsie MAY NOT wear skirts that short!)

I was lucky to kind these perfect knee socks at GapKids. But the smallest size was a 4, so I had to chop the entire foot off and sew up the bottom for a good fit. I love them. She's going to wear them with everything in the spring.



Sam: Why do you always use binoculars?
Suzy: It helps me see things closer. Even if they're not very far away. I pretend it's my magic power.
Sam: That sound like poetry. Poems don't always have to rhyme you know. They're just supposed to be creative. 

There is a scene in the movie when Sam and Suzy are camping together where he makes her pair of earrings out of iridescent green beetles and fish hooks. But her ears aren't pierced, so she lets him do it with the earrings. Hardcore love stupidity. I attempted to make a hair accessory inspired by the earrings, but, a) She has never worn anything in her hair and wouldn't keep it on, b) it turned out ginormous, and c) I shoulda put it on elastic for a headband. Also, it's really huge.




Those. Knees.

This was such a fun Film Petit for all of us. Yes, we have officially done more Wes Anderson films than not, so maybe we should just call it Wes Petit. Just kidding. Half. But if you have never seen a single one of his films, you should see this one. (Also, January's FP is definitely not Wes. It's a favorite from your childhood. I know that about you.)




Now go see Kristin's amaaaaaaazing work. She did both a Suzy look and a Sam look and she nailed it. Dead. 

And our guest this month is the super talented Robin, who also nailed it. She made a look inspired by Bill Murray's hilarious character Walt Bishop, AND a dress inspired by the khaki scout tents. So creative. Thanks for playing along with us this month Robin!

If you are new to Film Petit, the basic idea is that Kristin and I and a different guest each month all sew and post outfits for our kids from a movie we love. Not a kid movie, just a great movie we love with lots of creative inspiration. You can see all my previous FP posts here


And as always, we'd love to see your movie-inspired kid clothes in the Film Petit Flickr group.




Laura Bishop: Poor Suzy. Why is everything so hard for you?
Suzy: We're in love. We just want to be together. What's wrong with that?




30 comments:

  1. If I say Rushmore is my favorite from childhood, will you do it next? :)

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  2. I so enjoy these posts! Just darling...

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  3. What a darling dress and a great movie story! Elsie looks totally adorable :)

    I've never seen any of the movies you've done in Film Petit, but I really enjoy it anyway. One of these days, I'll have/make time to search out some great films.

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  4. How beautiful! I absolutely loved Moonrise Kingdom, I knew I would from the very first preview I saw.

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  5. This dress is adorable!! And yes, those knees!! And, yes, a totally acceptable length for a 19month old, especially with bloomers...they can get away with anything...and my daughter will most certainly NOT be wearing anything that short at suzy's age either! ;) Spot on! I love this (and this movie) so much, great job.

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  6. oh man, that dog quote is my favorite! great little suzy dress, it's perfect, and i agree, 19 months is the right age to wear a dress that length! and kids should wear knee socks more often - adorable!!

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  7. Those knee socks - oh! This installment is just killing me with the cuteness!

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  8. This is perfect. Love the chubby legs and the too short dress. Yes, when else could she pull this off and look so adorable! Great post, this was one of my favorites from your series!

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  9. That too short dress is killing me! She is the perfect age for it, and I am in love. You guys, this film petit Series is so fantastic, I am in love. Film Petit is here, Film Petit is here everyone! Woot woot!

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  10. Goodness that's cute. You can't go wrong with a too-short dress on a toddler.

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  11. This is too much - I LOVE the short dress. LOVE!! And these pictures!!! such treasures!

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  12. Yaaaaaay! Elsie is just so stinkin' cute as Suzy! I LOVE how you pulled off the dress, LOVE that you showed off her chubby little knees, LOVE her ringlets. Perfection.

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  13. Oh my that Elsie is a doll. You nailed it. Great dress and not too short for her at all! Love it. I am definitely going to have to see this movie!

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  14. Oh wow...this is awesome Jessica!!!! So adorable and just fab! Great job! Can't wait till next month...wink wink :)

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  15. This is fantastic! I am thoroughly impressed with all three of you ladies and your talents! And what a perfect movie to be inspired by.

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  16. So cute! I love that movie and seeing what all three of you made it's amazing!!

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  17. Oh my! I've been a fan of the series from the start but now you guys jsut brought it to another level. Too cute, amazing outfits, great photos, so much talent. Thanks for the inspiration! Can next month come ealier this time arround? can<t wait to see what's next!
    P.S. my daughter is also an Elsie, now we have more than sewing as a connection ;)

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  18. Wow what a fantastic dress! :) I need to see this movie.

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  19. Man, I can't over what a stinking cutie Elsie is! And this dress is SO perfect. I'm impressed you upcycled and drafted your own pattern, and the photo styling is spot on. Thanks again for letting me join in the fun. I can't wait to see what you ladies have up your sleeves for next month!

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  20. Oh, man, I loved this movie! Loved, loved, loved it. The skirt had to be short. You did a stellar job. And, is Jan Pippi Longstocking? I'd dig that.

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  21. Ahhh! I love it!! And I love her - she's adorable!!! The dress is perfection - beautiful job with the collar! :) And yes, Wes Petit - I was totally thinking that too! Awesome job! Did I use enough exclamation marks!??! Bye!!!

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  22. Seriously love this series. It has to be my favourite ever! I get so excited when I see a film petit coming up! Once I have PR&P done & dusted I will definitely be sewing along!

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  23. Love this Jessica! That was my favorite outfit of the movie. Well done!

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  24. I finally saw MK in October, and of course, loved it. It did not disappoint! I love the look you created here; very true to Suzy. I also love your intermittent quotes. Such gems! I hope you had a merry Christmas!

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  25. Oh I just love these posts, Jessica! So fun and you are so creative!

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  26. !!! just saw the movie after you all posted the film petit. love the bug- absolutely necessary.

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  27. Her comes another saw-the-movie-after-this-post comment. I realized that was a movie I should have watched and yesterday I finally came around to it...and loved it. Now I of course had to go back and see your posts again....so much more fun when you have actually seen the movies....which I have with most of them. Any chance you are a Woody Allen fan? I would love to see like Midnight in Paris or Play it Again Sam in a Film Petit version!

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  28. featured here: http://forestofbeauty.blogspot.ru/2013/09/moonrise-kingdom-wedding-inspiration.html
    thank you for inspiration and making beauty!

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